What camera settings and lens should I use for an indoor auto show with a Nikon D7000?
Asked 1/17/2013
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I’m shooting an indoor auto show with a Nikon D7000 and want a practical starting point for camera settings and lens choice. I’m still learning and would prefer to bring just one lens if possible. My options are a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX and a Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR. I’d like advice on a safe range of settings for a crowded indoor show, especially balancing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO without relying on the pop-up flash.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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The problem with the prime 35mm is that in order to frame your shot properly, you'll need good mobility. Which you may not always have in a busy and crowded car show. So I would give one point to the 18-200 for that: It'll let you frame your shots even if you can't get yourself at the exact right position you'd need with the 35.
Then, the thing is: it's a car show. I would expect artificial light, but plenty of it. The goal of a car show is to show off the goods. So they'll be pretty well lit, I think. So I wouldn't worry about having a 3.5-5.6F limitation. It's actually not that bad. You're not at an indie band's concert in an underground bar, here :).
In terms of ISO, you know your camera best. I'd try to keep it as low as possible, check at which threshold the noise becomes unbearable for you. I'd try to keep it under 800, personally.
For the aperture, you may not be able to use the widest apertures either, the reason being that if you do, you may not be able to have all the car in focus (the wider the aperture, the smaller the Depth of Field).
Originally by user14163. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user14163
13y ago
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For a crowded indoor car show, the 18-200mm is the safer one-lens choice. The main advantage is framing flexibility: you may not be able to move freely, and a fixed 35mm can be too limiting when crowds block your position or when you need a wider view of a full car.
The 35mm f/1.8 is still useful if light is lower than expected, but it may not be wide enough in tight spaces and won’t let you change composition easily.
Car shows are usually brightly lit compared with many indoor events, so the slower 18-200 may still work fine. Start by keeping ISO as low as you can while maintaining a hand-holdable shutter speed, then raise ISO only as needed. Since you know your D7000 best, use the highest ISO you find acceptable for noise.
Avoid the pop-up flash if possible; it can create harsh reflections on glossy cars. If you shoot with the 18-200, expect to use higher ISO than with the 35mm.
If you do this kind of shooting often, a mid-range constant f/2.8 zoom would be an ideal compromise, but for now the 18-200 is the more practical choice for a busy show floor.
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